Midwives - advice please

[GookledyGobb]

I’m seriously considering retraining as a midwife.

I currently am a SAHM with no plans to go back to work while kids are small. The area I worked in is related to technology so I would be very out of date after 8ish years out of the workplace by the time I go back anyway

I’m considering a home study access course with a view to applying for a degree to start in 2020 or more ideally 2021 (as my youngest will be moving towards full time in nursery by then). I would be 42 by the time I qualified

I understand the shifts involved in the role and the pressures and the low pay (and the fact that there aren’t many places vs applicants, that it’s self funded, and that many drop out, and that many current midwives are unhappy with their job).

So outside of the above I’m looking for some insight please. How do midwives with youngish (primary age for example) children manage? Do you all have husbands who are able to manage school runs and evenings when you are working (and training)? Are there any midwife roles that are less shift based or even part time (I’m thinking community for example)? What else would you tell somebody considering this as a career and especially as a mature student?

I have a child in primary school, it’s hard. You pretty much need someone who can do school runs/pick ups for every day. When you’re training you just have to work whatever shifts you’re given, there’s a bit more flexibility when you qualify as you can swap shifts with colleagues or apply for set days. Community or clinic is 9-5 but community will have on calls.

Read up on the new continuity of carer plans. It’s a bit like community with more on calls but you manage your own caseload so have more flexibility. Also get to develop strong relationships with women so more rewarding.

Thank you. I’m familiar with some of the continuity of care piece (I’ve been a patient of an area that uses it too) but obviously there’s more to it than I’m aware of so I will have a read

Also - how much of the degree year is spent on placement? That would be a helpful view to know in advance

Anybody else?

I’m also considering training to become a midwife. But the logistics of childcare while studying (and therefore not earning) means it’s unlikely to happen for me for many years. This makes me sad.